The Montreal Canadiens could be in for a tough contract negotiation with pending unrestricted free agent Markov, as the 36-year-old defenceman is asking for a multi-year contract from the only NHL club he's ever played for.

"Last I heard, and it is a fluid situation subject to change, Andrei Markov was asking Montreal for a three-year deal worth $6 million per year," TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted on Monday.

Markov scored seven goals and added 36 assists in 81 games with the Canadiens in 2013-14. It was the first time since 2008-09 that the Russian defender appeared in more than 50 games in an NHL season.